Kentucky Senate Passes “Religious Freedom” Bill That Would Allow Businesses To Discriminate Against LGBT People

Kentucky’s State Senate voted 22 to 16 on Tuesday to approve a bill that would allow businesses to discriminate against LGBT customers on the basis of “religious freedom.”

Senator Albert Robinson, who proposed Senate Bill 180 because “the homosexual community makes it an issue,” says the bill is designed to protect those who don’t want to provide service to same-sex couples.

“This protects people in business who don’t want to go beyond their conscience,” Robinson said.

The senate did pass the bill with an amendment that says it won’t apply to businesses providing “standard goods or services” or at a place of public accommodation.

Instead, SB 180 states that no restrictions should be placed on the rights of people who provide “customized, artistic, expressive, creative, ministerial, or spiritual goods or services” — things like wedding cakes, for example.

The bill is now headed to the state house to continue the attempt to turn it into Kentucky law.

Adam Salandra is a writer, performer and host in Los Angeles. When he's not covering the latest in pop culture, you can find him playing with his French Bulldog puppy or hovering over the table of food at any social gathering.